How to identify a first printing
- Stated 'First Edition' or 'First Printing' on the copyright page on early printings
- Full descending number line ending in 1 (e.g., '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1'); lowest digit present = printing number, so a true first shows the '1'
- Founded 1983 (Louis Rubin / Shannon Ravenel), Chapel Hill, NC; became a Workman imprint and is now part of Hachette Book Group via Workman — number-line conventions are standard modern American trade
- Cross-check the stated-edition line against the number line; both should agree for a true first printing
Notable points & cautions
- A confirmed dealer point of reference: Julia Alvarez 'Something to Declare' (1998) first printing carries a full number line
- Early-1980s titles (pre-Workman distribution maturity) can be scarce; rely on number line plus stated 'First Edition'
- Book-club editions are uncommon for Algonquin literary titles but watch for absent number line / 'Book Club Edition' on any reprint-house copies
- Workman/Algonquin did NOT have an idiosyncratic house code; treat as conventional stated-first + number-line
Imprints
First editions also appear under: Algonquin Young Readers, Shannon Ravenel Books (editorial line). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Stated 'First Edition' or 'First Printing' on the copyright page on early printings Full descending number line ending in 1 (e.g., '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1'); lowest digit present = printing number, so a true first shows the '1'
Does Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill use a number line?
Full descending number line ending in 1 (e.g., '10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1'); lowest digit present = printing number, so a true first shows the '1'
Is a book-club edition a Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. A confirmed dealer point of reference: Julia Alvarez 'Something to Declare' (1998) first printing carries a full number line
What era does this cover?
This covers Algonquin Books of Chapel Hill (1983–present). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.